Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge

Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge is a public park of about twenty-four hectares in the Sillery area of Quebec City, on a cliff above the St. Lawrence River, a short distance west of the Plains of Abraham and the Old Town. It occupies the grounds of a large estate that once served as the official residence of the lieutenant governors of Quebec, and its mix of mature woodland, formal gardens, lawns and old buildings gives it a different character from the busier parks of the old city. It is entered from Grande Allée Ouest, and it is free to visit.

The estate has a long history. Before it became a park, the land was a private property and then, from the nineteenth century, the home of the province’s vice-regal representatives, who entertained guests in a large house on the heights. Fire destroyed the main house in the twentieth century, and the grounds were later opened to the public and turned into the park we see now. Traces of the old landscape remain, including garden terraces, old trees planted for effect and several outbuildings. A park of this kind gives a sense of how the wealthy residents of Quebec lived and how they shaped the land.

The landscape is the main reason to visit. Winding paths lead through tall trees, down the slope toward the river and through gardens with flower beds and shrubs, and the cliff edge gives views over the St. Lawrence, with the south shore in the distance. The woodland attracts many birds, which makes the park popular with birdwatchers, particularly during spring and autumn migrations. Wide lawns offer space for picnics, and benches are scattered throughout. In spring, a sugar shack in the park is used for seasonal activities that celebrate Quebec’s maple tradition, and guided tours and workshops are sometimes offered, so check the park’s programme.

In winter, the paths are used for walking and snowshoeing, and the quiet snow-covered woods are beautiful. The park’s public washrooms are open during the day, and parking is available at the entrance, with fees on weekdays and free parking in the evening and at weekends, according to the posted rules. Some features, such as a fountain, may be under construction or restoration at times.

The park is a short drive or bus ride from the old city, and combines well with a walk through the Plains of Abraham and a visit to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, both to the east. Visitors will find it suits walkers, birdwatchers, families and photographers, and a visit takes an hour or two. Wear comfortable shoes, since some paths are steep, and bring a jacket for the breeze off the river.